From Protaras: Catamaran Cruise to Blue Lagoon

The best part of this Protaras cruise is the mix of coastal sightseeing and proper swim time. You pass Varosha, Fig Tree Bay, the Sea Caves, and Cape Greco before stopping in clear water. I like the generous buffet and open bar, and I like that the catamaran offers space, loungers, floats, and fresh-water showers. The main catch is that the boat can feel busy in peak season, and weather or sea conditions may change the route.

You also get practical extras that matter on a hot Cyprus day: hotel pickup, a friendly English-speaking host, cocktails, soft drinks, fruit, dessert, and lunch included in the $69 price. Arrive early if you want one of the front loungers, and bring a mask if you want to see fish below the surface. The boat may provide some swimming gear, but masks are not guaranteed.

Key points at a glance

• Varosha from the water: See the fenced-off ghost town of Varosha from the coast, an unusual and sobering contrast to the resort scenery.
• Two or three swimming stops: The exact program can change, but the cruise includes extended chances to swim in Derynia Bay and around Cape Greco.
• Lunch and open bar included: Expect a buffet with salads, bread, chicken, rice, mezze, seasonal fruit, dessert, and a broad choice of alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks.
• A spacious catamaran: Mediterraneo III has sun loungers, room to move, fresh-water showers, floats, and sometimes paddleboards or snorkeling equipment.
• Pickup from Ayia Napa or Protaras: Collection begins around 3:00 PM, or 2:00 PM in September and October, with some Green Bay-area exceptions.
• Strong value at $69: With transport, food, drinks, and a four to five hour cruise included, the price is hard to fault if you want a relaxed day on the sea.

Why this cruise works so well for a Cyprus beach day

This is not just a boat ride past the coast. It is a half-day package built around swimming, food, and easy sightseeing. You do not need to plan a taxi to the harbor, find lunch, or buy drinks on board. That makes the $69 price more useful than it first appears.

I especially like the balance. You see a fair stretch of the eastern coast, but the cruise does not ask you to spend the whole time listening to commentary or staring at shore. The main appeal is the water. You can swim from the catamaran, then return for a drink, lunch, music, and a place in the sun.

The atmosphere is generally relaxed rather than a full-on party boat. Music plays on board, and one account found it loud enough to make conversation difficult, but the wider tone is easygoing. If you want a quiet sailing trip with no music at all, this may not be your best choice. If you want a sociable afternoon with cocktails and swimming, it fits well.

Pickup from Protaras and Ayia Napa

Hotel pickup is included from major hotels in Protaras and Ayia Napa, or from an assigned meeting point. Collection normally starts at 3:00 PM. In September and October, the schedule starts earlier at about 2:00 PM. Confirm your exact pickup point when booking, since the listed start time is not necessarily the time you board the catamaran.

Pickup is not available from Cavo Maris Hotel or accommodations within walking distance of Green Bay. That is easy to miss, so check before paying. You may need to reach a meeting point on your own if you are staying in that area.

Transport is usually straightforward, though the vehicle can vary. Past departures have used a double-decker bus and even an open-top wedding-style bus. That can be fun in mild weather, but open transport is not ideal in strong summer heat. One return transfer was also criticized for poor cleanliness, while another had an air-conditioning problem. These appear to be transport issues rather than problems with the boat, but they are worth keeping in mind.

Sailing toward Varosha and Derynia Bay

Once you board Mediterraneo III, the cruise heads toward Famagusta and the coast near Varosha. Varosha is the abandoned section of Famagusta, left empty for decades after the division of Cyprus. Seen from the sea, it is not a polished attraction with a visitor center. It is a distant view of a restricted, silent urban area, and that contrast gives this part of the cruise more weight than a standard coast-viewing stop.

The boat then reaches Derynia Bay for a swim. The water is a major reason to book this trip. It is clear, refreshing, and easy to enter from the catamaran, with ladders and room to return on board. Life jackets and floats are available, and some departures have offered paddleboards, canoes, goggles, or other swimming aids.

You should bring your own mask if underwater viewing matters to you. Some equipment may be available, and you are welcome to bring snorkeling gear, but it is better not to assume a mask will be waiting. The water is often clear enough to reward a look below the surface, though boat traffic and safety rules can keep you close to the catamaran.

Turtles are sometimes seen in the area, and dolphins have also appeared on some outings. Treat these as lucky extras, not part of the promised program. The crew should not need to feed wildlife to attract it, and responsible viewing is better for the animals and for everyone in the water.

Fig Tree Bay and the Cape Greco coast

The route continues along the coast past Fig Tree Bay, one of the best-known beach areas near Protaras. From the water, you get a different view than from the sand. You can see the shape of the bay, the resort shoreline, and the pale coast without dealing with beach crowds or searching for a sunbed.

Cape Greco is the visual high point. The boat passes the Sea Caves and the rocky coast around the national park area before reaching the Blue Lagoon. The cliffs, hollows, and bright water make this section ideal for photographs, but your best view may depend on where you sit.

Front loungers are prized. Arrive early if you want one, since they offer a clear forward view and a place to stretch out. The catamaran is large enough to avoid feeling cramped on many departures, but a nearly full boat can reduce your choice of seating. A seat along the side still gives you good views, and you can move around when the boat is underway.

Do not expect the cruise to enter every cave or take you right up against the rocks. Boat traffic and safety rules can limit how close you get. One itinerary found that swimmers had to stay near the boat instead of swimming toward the caves. That matters if your main goal is close-up snorkeling rather than a broad coastal cruise.

Swimming at the Blue Lagoon

The Blue Lagoon is the natural centerpiece of the trip. The name is deserved: the water is remarkably clear, and the bright color looks best from the deck as well as from the water. This is a swim stop, not a beach landing. You stay aboard the catamaran, jump or climb into the sea, and use the ladder to get back on.

The number of stops can vary. The advertised route includes a dip in Derynia Bay and another swim around Cape Greco, while some departures have offered three or even four swimming opportunities. Weather, sea conditions, boat traffic, and timing can affect the final plan.

That flexibility is useful, but it also means you should not treat every stop as a fixed promise. If rough water makes one location unsafe, the captain may change the program. That is the right call, even if it means missing a particular cove.

Fresh-water showers are available, a small feature that makes a real difference after swimming. You can rinse off salt before lunch or before the return ride. Bring a towel, swimsuit, sunscreen, sunglasses, and a hat. There is little reason to arrive in heavy clothing when the main activity is swimming and sunbathing.

Lunch, cocktails, and the open bar

The included meal is one of the strongest parts of the package. It is generally a buffet rather than a single plated dish, with items such as salads, bread, chicken, rice, mezze, seasonal fruit, and dessert. The food is not fine dining, but it is filling, varied, and much better value than buying a meal and several drinks separately at a harbor restaurant.

Vegetarian choices are available in the buffet. If you have a specific dietary need, speak with the crew before serving yourself. The team has helped identify suitable food for a passenger with coeliac disease, but you should still explain your needs clearly rather than rely on guesswork.

The open bar includes water, soft drinks, beer, wine, cocktails, and fruit. The cocktail selection receives especially strong praise, and the bar team may prepare a drink that is not listed if the ingredients are available. There is also seasonal fruit, including watermelon on some departures.

The bar adds value, but use common sense in the sun. Alternate alcoholic drinks with water, especially if you plan to swim more than once. The boat’s relaxed mood can make it easy to lose track of how much you have had.

Crew, music, and the feel on board

The crew is one of the more dependable strengths of the trip. Service is friendly and active, with staff helping people board, serving drinks, organizing lunch, and assisting with swimming equipment. The English-speaking host keeps the basic flow clear, and Jodie has been singled out as a warm and welcoming guide on one departure.

The crew has also helped passengers who needed extra support moving between the boat and coach. This is encouraging, but the tour does involve boarding, a marine setting, and unsteady surfaces. If you have limited mobility, ask for specific assistance details before booking rather than assuming the outing is fully accessible.

Music is part of the experience. The playlist helps create a holiday mood, and many people enjoy it. At times it can be loud enough to make conversation difficult, especially if you want a family catch-up or a quiet meal. Choose your seat with that in mind.

The overall tone is more relaxed than rowdy. You can sunbathe, swim, eat, and watch the coast without being pushed into a nightclub atmosphere. Solo visitors can fit in easily, and the open deck gives you room to find your own pace.

Is $69 good value?

For $69 per person, this is strong value if you use the main inclusions. You receive transport from a major hotel or meeting point, a four to five hour catamaran cruise, a buffet lunch, an open bar, several sightseeing sections, and at least two planned opportunities to swim.

A cheaper boat trip may exist, but the comparison is not simply about sailing time. Ask what that cheaper option includes. If you still need to pay for transport, lunch, drinks, and swimming equipment, the gap can shrink quickly.

The value is weaker if you dislike group activities, rarely drink, or want a small sailing boat with a private feel. It is also less suitable if you want to spend most of the day on a beach. This is a boat-based outing with swims from the catamaran, not a visit to a sandy shore.

The high rating of 4.6 from 534 bookings reflects a consistent package, though not a perfect one. Full departures, loud music, variable transport, and weather changes are the main qualifications. The boat itself, crew, food, drinks, and swim stops receive the strongest praise.

Who should book the Mediterraneo III cruise?

I would book this if you want an easy half-day away from the resort, especially if you value swimming more than formal sightseeing. Families, couples, solo visitors, and groups of friends can all find something here. The food and broad drink choice also make it convenient for people who do not want to organize every detail themselves.

It suits first-time catamaran passengers because the crew handles the basics and the boat offers easy access to the water. It also works for repeat visitors who have already seen the beaches and want a different view of the coast.

You should think twice if you need a quiet boat, dislike crowds, or want guaranteed turtle sightings. If your priority is snorkeling close to caves, ask about the day’s safety limits and bring your own mask. The tour is at its best when you see it as a social sea outing with scenery, swimming, and lunch, not as a specialist wildlife or sailing expedition.

The activity allows cancellation up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund, and you can reserve now and pay later. That gives you some room to watch the forecast, which is sensible since the route may change with sea conditions.

FAQ

Where does the Protaras catamaran cruise go?

The route heads toward Famagusta to view Varosha and includes a swim in Derynia Bay. It then follows the coast past Fig Tree Bay and Cape Greco, including the Sea Caves and Blue Lagoon.

How long does the cruise last?

The cruise lasts about four to five hours. Check the available starting times when booking because the schedule changes by season.

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes. Pickup is available from major hotels in Ayia Napa and Protaras, or from an assigned meeting point. Collection usually starts at 3:00 PM, and at about 2:00 PM in September and October.

Are there pickup exclusions?

Pickup is not available from Cavo Maris Hotel or accommodation within walking distance of Green Bay. You may be directed to an assigned meeting point.

Is lunch included?

Yes. A buffet lunch is included, with food such as salads, bread, chicken, rice, mezze, seasonal fruit, and dessert.

Is the bar included?

Yes. An open bar is included, with alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks. Cocktails, beer, water, soft drinks, and fruit are available.

How many times can you swim?

The route includes a swim in Derynia Bay and another swim stop around Cape Greco. The exact number can change, and departures have included two, three, or four stops depending on conditions and timing.

What should you bring?

Bring swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, sunglasses, and a sun hat. You may also bring your own snorkeling equipment. Pets are not allowed on board.

Should you book it?

Book it if you want good-value swimming, food, drinks, and Cape Greco views in one outing. The crew, catamaran, open bar, and swim stops make this more than a simple sightseeing boat. Just arrive early for the best loungers, pack a mask if snorkeling matters, and keep your expectations flexible about the exact route.

If you want a private sailing trip, a quiet vessel, or a beach day on land, choose something else. For most visitors staying in Protaras or Ayia Napa, though, the Mediterraneo III offers an easy and enjoyable way to spend several hours on the Mediterranean without spending much more once you are aboard.